A Legacy of Trust

Our Roots Run Deep

New Hope was created when a group of family members of people with disabilities wanted to do better than what was available to them. This legacy of excellence and constant improvement to enhance the lives of the people we support continues to drive our work each day.

  • August 1975

    New Hope Rehabilitation Center is founded on the 44-acre grounds of the former Green Acres Hotel.

  • December 7, 1975

    New Hope opened its doors and began transforming lives. During this humble beginning, our agency was comprised of 10 staff and 17 adults with developmental disabilities.

  • April 28, 1985

    New Hope Rehabilitation Center celebrates its 10th Anniversary.

  • 1986

    New Hope Community is the first agency to offer Case Management Services.

  • 1987

    Board of Directors support the idea for change from a private Residential School to a Community Residential Program.

  • 1988

    New Hope Community is created in anticipation of transition of New Hope Rehabilitation Center to a not-for-profit organization.

  • February 1989

    New Hope Community and its family member-driven board of directors acquires the New Hope Rehabilitation Center.

  • October 1990

    New Hope Community celebrates 15th Anniversary.

  • 1992

    Our first three community residences open.

  • April 1993

    New Hope Community opens a business with development of Community Enterprises and consumer-run Community Diner.

  • September 1993

    Construction begins on 10 on-campus homes.

  • December 1993

    Our fourth community residence opens.

  • 1993 & 1994

    Eighty new staff members hired due to expansion of New Hope Community and the opening of new residences.

  • 1994

    Our first seven on-campus community residences open.

  • 1995

    Three additional on-campus community residences open.

  • May 21, 1995

    New Hope Community celebrates 20th Anniversary.

  • September 1995

    Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony for dedication of 10 on-campus homes.

  • June 1997

    Two apartments open for 4 individuals.

  • November 1997

    Two additional community homes open.

  • November 1997

    An additional apartment opens for 2 individuals.

  • November 1998

    An on-campus Individualized Residential Alternative opens.

  • October 1999

    Dedication of Maxie’s Place, the new Activities and Administration Building and dedication of the Rachel and Imre Lefkovitz Pavilion.

  • December 1999

    Ten on-campus community residences are converted to 10 Intermediate Care Facilities.

  • April 9, 2000

    Celebration of New Hope Community’s 25th Silver Anniversary.

  • Spring 2000

    Living Arts Center Annex completed.

  • Summer 2000

    An off-campus Individualized Residential Alternative opens.

  • Summer 2000

    The first New Hope Community “Songfest” is held – now an annual tradition as a venue for individuals and employees to share their musical talent.

  • Fall 2000

    Four new off-campus IRAs established.

  • Spring 2001

    First Sullivan Renaissance Grant awarded to New Hope Community.

  • Fall 2001

    New greenhouse and gardens established with 3000 square feet of indoor and 3000 square feet of outdoor growing space.

  • Winter 2001

    Four new additional off-campus IRAs established.

  • Summer 2002

    New Hope Community creates “The Siblings Group”, a forum for siblings of individuals to share hopes, thoughts and concerns while providing support to one another.

  • Spring 2003

    New Hope Community Supported Work Program signs first contracts, and the New Hope Community officially adopts the Circle of Courage and Person-Centered Planning.

  • Fall 2003

    New Hope Community celebrates first-ever wedding.

  • Spring 2004

    At age 89, Margaret Doran becomes the oldest person to graduate from Sullivan County Community College for Educational Enrichment.

  • Summer 2004

    New IRA condominium opens.

  • Fall 2004

    New Hope Community holds its 2nd Annual Health and Wellness Fair.

  • May 2005

    New Hope Community celebrates 30 years of making dreams come true.

  • July 20, 2005

    Two additional 6-bed homes are opened in the greater community.

  • 2006

    Two additional 6-bed homes open in the greater community.

  • February 2007

    Opened therapeutic horseback-riding programs and horse stables.

  • February 15, 2008

    One additional 2-bed home is opened in the community.

  • May 15, 2010

    New Hope Community celebrates 35th anniversary.

  • May 2011

    First annual Wallace Berkowitz Cup Golf Outing.

  • 2013

    One additional 4-bed home and one additional 3-bed home are opened in the greater community.

  • July 1, 2014

    One additional 5-bed home is opened in the greater community.

  • 2015

    Two additional 4-bed homes are opened in the greater community.

  • September 2015

    New Hope Community receives Council on Quality and Leadership (CQL) accreditation.

  • November 14, 2015

    New Hope Community celebrates 40 years of enhancing the lives of those with disabilities.

  • April 2016

    New Hope Community in collaboration with SUNY Sullivan breaks ground on Hope Farm.

  • June 2016

    First New Hope Community podcast is aired.

  • August 2017

    Hope Farm Ribbon Cutting Ceremony celebrated

  • December 2017

    New Hope Community receives a gold Sullivan Health & Wellness Medal of Excellence

  • July 2018

    New Hope Community affiliates with Select Human Services.

  • September 2018

    Learn It, Lead It, Live It family network group formed

  • October 2018

    Debbie McGinness assumes role as New Hope Community Chief Executive Officer

  • December 2018

    Hope Farm receives Cornell Cooperative Extension’s Partner in Ag Award

  • January 2020

    New Hope Community and Select Human Services merge.

In closing, thank you…

From the staff at New Hope, and all the friends and families we’ve had the pleasure to help and welcome through our doors over all the years, thank you for being part of the New Hope Family.